Atlas Launches IMIST in New Languages

Atlas launches IMIST in three new languages to improve safety standards in growing South East Asia energy market.

Atlas has announced three new translations of its IMIST program, now available in nine languages. International Minimum Industry Safety Training (IMIST) is now available in Vietnamese, Thai and Indonesian, which will support the roll out of the global standard in safety across the world.

IMIST has been developed by oil and gas training standards body OPITO, delivered in partnership with Atlas via e-learning. Tailored to meet each region’s specific workforce, language and geographic needs, the course assesses basic safety knowledge in nine subject areas, helping the offshore industry meet regulatory compliance obligations, producing a safer workforce and workplace.

The three regions are becoming key areas within the oil and gas industry. According to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), Vietnam ranks third in the Asia-Pacific region in proven oil reserves with the country’s oil production set to rise by around 50,000 barrels per day within the next two years. Indonesia is a leading exporter of both coal and natural gas, with the EIA stating the natural gas production in the region has increased by more than a quarter since 2005. According to Oil & Gas Thailand expo 2012, the only specialised event in the region, Thailand’s Map Ta Phut industrial complex has grown into one of the world’s biggest petrochemical hubs housing all the main refineries.

The addition of three new languages to the IMIST programme will further ensure the estimated 1.5million workers employed in exploration and production activities across the world are trained to the same standard throughout the industry, as well as helping improve competency in South East Asia.

With many of the industry’s largest organisations investing heavily in a region with excellent natural resources and renewable energy potential, it’s of key importance that one industry standard is set for everyone.

John Rowley, CEO of Atlas said: “South East Asia is a fast growing energy market with an abundance of natural resources currently being explored.  The translation of the IMIST initiative into Vietnamese, Thai and Indonesian will support the workers and help improve competency in the region.

“We want to reach as many people as we can with IMIST to improve basic safety knowledge, not only with new workers but with experienced people in the industry, so that no matter where they are in the world, a worker can be sure that their fellow colleagues are trained to the same level.

“As IMIST continues to be translated into new languages and rolled out in more countries, the oil and gas industry can strive upon the highest standard of safety and competency.”

Originally developed for the English speaking market, IMIST has been translated into Hindi, Arabic, Bahasa Malay, French and now Vietnamese, Thai and Indonesian.

Having recently been adopted by LUKOIL, one of the biggest Russian oil business groups, IMIST is to be rolled out to its E&P workers in Iraq with the goal of ensuring the highest safety standards in the county.